A coalition of New Mexico historical societies has announced the dates and locations for its free 11-part lecture series celebrating the 2026 Route 66 Centennial.
The Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series is sponsored by the Albuquerque Historical Society, East Mountain Historical Society, Historic Albuquerque, Inc., and the Los Ranchos Historical Society. The events will feature a roster of 15 speakers covering the history, culture and architecture of the Mother Road.
The monthly lectures are scheduled for 11 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month: Jan. 24, Feb. 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28.
The 10 venues are located along both the original 1926 Route 66 alignment and the 1937 realignment. Locations include the Central & Unser Library, East Mountain Library, Gutierrez-Hubbell House, International District Library, Los Lunas Multigenerational Center, Martha Liebert Public Library, Raymond Sanchez Community Center, South Valley Library, Special Collections Library and the Wheels Museum.
Highlights from the scheduled talks include Joseph Sabatini on “North Fourth Street: Albuquerque’s Original Route 66,” Gary Herron discussing “Motels on Route 66 / Central Avenue in Albuquerque,” and Jennifer Bohnhoff presenting “The Civil War on Route 66.”
Other scheduled speakers will cover topics ranging from “The Italian’s Pathway to Prosperity on Albuquerque’s Route 66” by Lynne Peckinpaugh to “Chinese Merchants of Albuquerque’s Route 66” by Aimee Tang.
The events are free and open to the public.